Ankur Paliwal is an independent journalist, and founder and managing editor of queerbeat, a collaborative media venture focused on building public understanding of queerness in India. Before starting queerbeat, Ankur was travelling across India, and east and west Africa covering stories of underreported people and places. He has written many award-winning longform features on science, health and the environment for various publications including the Guardian, Nature and FiftyTwo. He has a master’s degree in science journalism from the Columbia University in New York. He lives in New Delhi.

Anjali Gopalan is the Founder and Executive Director of the Naz Foundation (India) Trust, a Delhi-based NGO dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS. She is also the founder of All Creatures Great & Small, an NGO that provides shelter and help to animals. She has been at the forefront of the battle to decriminalize homosexuality. While she runs a shelter home for HIV-infected orphaned children, her NGO is now creating Delhi’s first LGBTQ centre, a significant initiative for the queer community that struggles to find a safe space. She has been accorded a number of awards and recognitions including the Commonwealth Award, the Woman Achiever’s Award from the Ministry of Women & Child Development and The Ashoka Fellow. She was also listed by Time Magazine in 2009 as the 100 most influential People in the World and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 amongst a long list of accolades.

Rituparna is a queer feminist and indigenous activist living with disabilities, as well as a prominent voice in the LGBTQIA+ community. With over 18 years of experience advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, she co-founded and serves as the Executive Director of Nazariya: A Queer Feminist Resource Group. Rituparna has contributed significantly to POSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment), DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), and gender and sexuality initiatives. She has also served on advisory boards for organizations and programs such as LBQ Connect of Outright Action International, and Rainbow Lit Fest. As an experienced trainer and peer counsellor, she has developed curricula and chapters for several educational institutions.

Sandip Roy is a columnist and podcaster based in Kolkata. His audio dispatches from Kolkata for public radio KALW 91.7FM have crossed 500 episodes. He is the host of The Sandip Roy Show on Indian Express and a columnist for Mint Lounge and the Hindu. He is the author of the novel Don't Let Him Know.

Vivek is the founder and the Artistic Director of New Delhi based theatre company Scene Stealers. He has directed several theatre productions such as Delhirious!, Let There Be Love, God of Carnage, No Room For Love, Funny Money, Duet for Three, Don’t Dress For Dinner, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged), An Absolute Turkey, Rumours, Identities, Strictly Dandiya. Vivek co-directed the musical The Chorus Line and produced the musical Much Ado About Nautanki and Seven Steps Around The Fire. His acting credits include productions of Delhirious!, Animals Out Of Paper, The Perfect Evening, Lend Me A Tenor, Art, Tara, Bravely Fought The Queen, William Shakespeare’s Othello : A Play in Black and White (which won the Edinburgh Fringe First in 1999), O Come Bulky Stomach, Habeas Corpus, Antigone, Six Degrees of Separation, It’s All About Sex Honey, A Perfect Evening, Plan in Peril. For theatre with children he has adapted and co-directed musicals such as Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, The Wiz, Nutcracker, The Sound of Music. He wrote and co-directed the original plays Major Hype and the Magic Hoopla, Bhangra on the Moon, SNAP! The Musical and Theatre Express. Vivek made his screen debut in the film In Othello and played cameos in the films Dil Dosti etc. and Axone. He has worked with The Action Players, India’s only deaf theatre company, as voicing actor. He has performed in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Edinburgh, London, Cairo, Bonn, Harare and Taipei. Vivek has conducted workshops in theatre for schools, colleges and media institutions. He has done voiceovers for film, television, commercials and audio books. He has conceptualized and directed several launch events for corporates. Vivek headed the British Council’s Scholarships division, then served as Director of the Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program. Following his role as Director Arts, India at the British Council, he is currently the India Head of the Institute of International Education.

Eric Chopra is the founder of Itihāsology, an inclusive platform dedicated to Indian history and art. He is a writer and podcaster who focuses on histories of aesthetics, heritage, emotions, sexuality, and the otherworld. A key aspect of his work is making history accessible and engaging for public discourse.

Sonal Giani is a leading advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, gender inclusion, and social justice, with over eighteen years of experience in activism, policy advocacy, and capacity building. She has played a pivotal role in amplifying queer voices across South Asia and shaping inclusive policies within organizations. A former board member of UNAIDS, Sonal has contributed to global conversations on gender and LGBTQIA+ inclusion, influencing policies and advocacy efforts at an international level. Her work has been recognized with multiple awards, including the 'Diversity Leadership Award' by the World HRD Conference and the 'Queero' Award by Six Degrees, an LGBTQ Growth Network celebrating her contributions to social change. Beyond policy and activism, Sonal has made significant media appearances, including being featured in ZEE TV’s prime-time television show Connected Hum Tum. She has been featured in Femina, Cosmopolitan, The Better India, Firstpost, and other media platforms for her impact on the queer rights movement. She has also worked on mainstream entertainment projects, including casting and advisory roles in films and web series centered on LGBTQIA+ narratives. With a deep commitment to equity and empowerment, Sonal continues to mentor young changemakers and drive intersectional inclusion in leadership, workplaces, and cultural spaces.